Statement by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee
Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
Today [November 30, 2024], the Central People’s Government appointed the principal officials and prosecutor-general of the sixth government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law. We would like to express our congratulations on the official formation of the new Macao SAR government governance team.
When Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the newly elected and appointed sixth Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Sam Ho Fai, on November 1, he fully affirmed the Central People’s Government’s and mainland’s strong support of Macao in the 25 years since Macao returned to the motherland. Under the circumstances, the SAR government and all sectors of society have continued to work hard, and the practice of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics has achieved world-renowned achievements. The constitutional order of the SAR established in the Constitution and the Macao Basic Law has been firmly established. Macao has made comprehensive progress in various undertakings, and its international influence has been significantly enhanced. President Xi hopes that Sam Ho Fai will lead the new government of the Macao Special Administrative Region to unite all sectors of society to work together, be upright and innovative, be enterprising and do well, continue to create new situations in the practice of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics, and make greater contributions to the construction of a strong country and national rejuvenation.
To implement the important instructions and requirements of the President and promote the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics to a new level, a strong and powerful governance team must be formed under the leadership of the Chief Executive with both ability and political integrity, and that is united and enterprising. The principal officials and prosecutor-general of the sixth term of the Macao Special Administrative Region, who were nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the Central People’s Government, are such an excellent team that meet the requirements: they have a firm political stance of patriotism and love for Macao, and resolutely safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests and the long-term prosperity and stability of Macao, have a clear-cut stand on major issues of right and wrong, and have withstood the test in major political and legal struggles; they have political experience and professional abilities. Some are principal officials who have been retained in the posts, while others have been transferred from other posts as principal officials, and some of the appointees are current bureau-level officials. All of them are familiar with government work, have professional backgrounds for taking office, have worked in related fields for a long time, and are good at overall coordination and implementation; they have deep feelings for the people and a spirit of responsibility and dedication, and have performed well in their previous positions. They have conscientiously performed his duties, been diligent, pragmatic, sedulous, and achieved outstanding results, which has been widely recognized and fully affirmed by all parties.
After 25 years of continuous struggle, the construction and development of the Macao Special Administrative Region has reached a new historical starting point. The new Macao SAR government governance team that emerged at this important moment has a heavy responsibility and a glorious mission. The central government and Macao society are eagerly anticipating and fully believing that under the leadership of Chief Executive Sam Ho Fai, the new SAR government governance team will adhere to the governance philosophy of “working hard and upholding integrity and innovation”, shouldering heavy responsibilities and taking positive actions to achieve solid results. With practical actions and tangible achievements, they will unite and lead all sectors of society to continuously write a new chapter in the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” with Macao characteristics.
Adhering to the comprehensive and accurate implementation of the “one country, two systems” policy and firmly safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security, and development interests
It is hoped that the new SAR government will fully and deeply implement the principle of “patriots governing Macao” and unequivocally safeguard the constitutional order of the SAR as determined by the Constitution and the Basic Law. We must always keep in mind that safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests is the highest principle of the “one country, two systems” policy, adhere to the unity of the central government’s overall jurisdiction and guarantee the high degree of autonomy of the special administrative regions, and correctly handle the relationship between the central government and the special administrative regions. Always keep in mind that the glorious tradition of patriotism and love for Macao is the most important reason for the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” in Macao, and to continue to lead Macao society to uphold and promote the core values of patriotism and love for Macao, and continuously build a solid social and political foundation for the successful implementation of “one country, two systems” in Macao.
Striving to improve the governance level of the SAR and continuously enhance its governance efficiency
It is hoped that the new SAR government will actively adapt to the development of the situation and the latest and higher requirements put forward by the public for the governance of the SAR, deepen the reform of the Public Administration and other systems, improve the efficiency of government governance, and promote the modernization of the governance system and governance capabilities. Strengthen the construction and management of public servants and improve their ability to perform their duties in accordance with the law. We will regard acting in accordance with the law as the basic criterion for the governance of the Special Administrative Region, continue to improve the system of governing Macao according to the law, and strive to create a diligent, honest, efficient and fair government governed by the rule of law.
Accelerating the moderate diversification of Macao’s economy and achieving new breakthroughs
It is hoped that the new SAR government will gain a deep understanding that appropriate economic diversification is the only way to maintain Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability. The original mission of Hengqin’s development and construction is to open up new space and inject new impetus for the moderate diversification of Macao’s economy; it is hoped that there will be a deep understanding that Hengqin is a “Special Economic Zone in China” that should demonstrate the advantages of “one country”, make full use of the benefits of “two systems”, give full play to the role of the experimental field of “two constructions”, and build a demonstration site for further comprehensively deepening reforms and promoting high-level opening up to the outside world, as well as boldly innovate in important areas and create key links in the construction of the In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and continuously improve the level of integrated development of Hengqin and Macao, especially to promote a high degree of economic coordination between the In-depth Cooperation Zone and Macao, intensify the integration of rules, and increase the efficient cross-border flow of various elements. Convenience will guide more Macao funds to invest and start businesses in Hengqin, more Macao companies to innovate and start businesses in Hengqin, and more Macao residents to live and work in peace and contentment in Hengqin.
Consolidating and developing Macao’s unique status and advantages, and constantly polishing Macao’s “golden business card” as an international metropolis
It is hoped that the new SAR government will cherish Macao’s extraordinary achievements in becoming a truly international metropolis, comprehensively promote the construction of “one center, one platform and one base”, fully tap into Macao’s rich cultural tourism resources, and make good use of Macao’s integration of Chinese and Western cultures, use its advantages and build a world center of tourism and leisure with high quality; actively leverage the advantages of Macao’s free port and separate customs territory, continue to optimize the business environment, attract international funds and talents, and create a high-end international talent gathering place; deepen and expand Macao’s external exchanges and enhance trade with Portuguese-speaking countries and strengthen the cooperation service platform function to promote broader and pragmatic cooperation between the nation and Portuguese-speaking countries, and support high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.
Focusing on meeting citizens’ expectations for a better life and continue to enhance the happiness, gain, and security of Macao residents
It is hoped that the new SAR government will vigorously protect and improve people’s livelihoods and continuously improve citizens’ living standards as an inevitable requirement of the fundamental purpose of “one country, two systems” and the starting point and foothold of government governance, as well as take the expectations of the whole society, especially ordinary citizens, as the biggest priority in governance, and pursue and take bolder and more effective measures to overcome difficulties, and strive to solve the outstanding problems that citizens are anxious about, as well as strengthen the construction of public infrastructure, improve citizens’ living environment and enhance their quality of life.
We believe that with the strong leadership of the central government and the full support of the Chinese mainland, and under the united leadership of Chief Executive Sam Ho Fai and the new SAR government, all sectors of Macao society will be able to work together and make persistent efforts to promote the continuous progress of various undertakings in Macao and continue to move forward. The world has demonstrated the vitality and superiority of “one country, two systems” which has made new and greater contributions to the realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
N.B. Translation of the unabridged statement arranged by the Post
